Rough Guide to Vietnam - Jan Dodd [374]
Ba Be(See "Ba Be National Park"). A park of 8000 hectares, containing Vietnam’s largest natural lake, over 350 butterfly species and a few extremely rare Tonkin snub-nosed langur. The park has limited tourist facilities, but boat trips, jungle walks and overnight stays in a minority village are possible.
Bach Ma(See "Bach Ma National Park"). This park of 22,000 hectares sits on the climatological divide between the tropical forests of the south and the northern subtropical zone, and contains Vietnam’s lushest tropical rainforests. It is also home to a wide variety of bird species, including several rare pheasants, and over 1400 recorded flora species. Bach Ma is well set up for tourism, with a network of marked trails, campsites and guesthouses.
Cat Ba(See "Cat Ba National Park"). The park covers only 15,200 hectares, but 5400 of these are important marine reserves, including areas of coral reef. The limestone island supports a broad range of habitats, a wealth of medicinal plants, and a critically endangered population of Golden-headed langurs. The park is accessible to tourists either on foot or by boat from Cat Ba Town.
Cat Tien(See "Dambri Waterfalls and north to Da Lat"). This 74,000-hectare park is most famous for its tiny population of Java rhino, the only ones known in mainland Asia. Otherwise the park’s wetlands are a haven for water birds, including the critically endangered White-winged duck and White-shouldered ibis, as well as the equally rare Siamese crocodile. Although it’s relatively close to Ho Chi Minh City, Cat Tien is not easy to reach by public transport and tourist facilities are fairly limited.
Cuc Phuong(See "Cuc Phuong National Park"). Vietnam’s first national park, Cuc Phuong was established in 1962 in an area of limestone hills relatively close to Hanoi. The park covers 22,000 hectares and contains a number of unique, ancient trees and provides excellent birdwatching, as well as an opportunity to see some of the world’s rarest monkeys in its Endangered Primate Rescue Center. Cuc Phuong is one of the most accessible parks, where it’s possible to hike and stay overnight.
Phong Nha-Ke Bang(See "Phong Nha Cave"). Established in 2002, this 86,000-hectare park along the mountain chain bordering Laos is best known for its extensive underground river system. The park itself is home to more than sixty endangered animal species, including several types of langur. At present access is limited to visiting Phong Nha Cave.
Tram Chim(See "Cao Lanh and around"). One of Vietnam’s most important wetlands ecosystems, comprising 7500 hectares in the Mekong Delta and providing haven to thousands of overwintering water birds. Its most famous visitors are the critically endangered Sarus crane.
Yok Don(See "Yok Don National Park"). Lying on the border with Cambodia, Yok Don constitutes 115,000 hectares carved out of Vietnam’s most extensive forests. The area is also one of the most biologically diverse in the whole of Indochina, supporting rare Indochinese tigers and Asian elephants. Visitors can overnight in minority villages and camp; elephant-back rides are also on offer.
To support environmental programmes already taking place in Vietnam, contact the following organizations.
BirdLife International Wellbrook Court, Girton Rd, Cambridge CB3 0NA, UK (01223/277318, www.birdlife.org); trip reports are welcomed by their Hanoi office (www.birdlifeindochina.org) via email (birdlife@birdlife.netnam.vn).
Fauna and Flora International 4th Floor, Jupiter House, Station Rd., Cambridge CB1 2JD, UK (01223/571000, www.fauna-flora.org).
International Crane Foundation E-11376 Shady Lane Rd, PO Box 447, Baraboo, Wisconsin, 53913-0447 US (608/356-9462, www.savingcranes.org).
WWF International Ave du Mont-Blanc 27, 1196 Gland, Switzerland (22/364 9111, www.panda.org).
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Environmental issues |
Wildlife
Forest clearance, warfare, pollution and economic necessity have all contributed to the loss of natural habitat and reduced Vietnam’s broad species base.